Mindful Shopping at Sale Time

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Mindful Shopping at Sale Time

Have you all done all your shopping? Ok, own up, who has purchased something for themselves too? Many of my clients buy a new dress to wear on Christmas day and that is something that I think is a wonderful tradition.

We see so many bargains in shops – just this week I experienced something that I have not had before. Just the previous week I purchased a top and skirt and paid full price – this week it is down by 40%. So the question is – do you wait to shop or buy when you see the item? My answer to that is, if it is unique and you love it no matter what and want to wear it immediately – then yes as your size may not be available when it goes on sale. I am also aware of shops that do put things on sale very quickly, so I will wait to purchase.

However, that brings a whole new topic – Mindful or Mindless Shopping. In the world of fast fashion very fashionable items are often cheaper but not of a very good quality. They will not last – they are not supposed to last. We may have wardrobes bursting at the seams but nothing to wear!!! I see those full wardrobes and hear that cry!!

The media is reporting, as though it were news, that we have two generations of consumers, Gen X and Gen Y, who have grown up shopping for "deconstructed" clothing with frayed edges, tattered holes, and stains in the fabric. They go for "fast fashion," buying into the trend of the week, low-priced, low-quality knockoffs they wear for a season, a month, or only a week then toss. (Judith Rasband)

What are they thinking?? They are not – they just want the latest. Many of my clients do not fall into that category though but it is the way that many shops make money – changing stock quickly to entice us in, to buy what we may not need but think we want. It is on SALE – so I must have it!! It is only a good deal if you need the item.

So how can we become more mindful shoppers? The shops will be full of sales after Christmas and into January. So what should we buy and what should we stay clear of?

Appealing to this changing mind-set, fashion industry executives and retailers are promoting smaller, simpler, more versatile, and longer-lasting wardrobes. It's all about quality over quantity-- Nate Herman, vice president of the American Apparel and Footwear Association, reports, "People are not buying just to buy anymore. There is evidence people are willing to pay more for clothes that last longer."

Mindful Shopping

Invest in classics. Don't spend much on a fleeting fad or pass altogether.
Shop with a plan. Know what's in your wardrobe and what to buy to build a cluster of coordinated clothes just right for you. Spend time putting outfits together and documenting them – either by photographs or writing them down (I do both with clients). Once you spend time doing that you will see how many different options you have and where you need to buy – maybe a new jacket in a different colour will add life to your “boring” wardrobe.
Shop all your options, department stores, specialty and chain stores, discount stores, thrift and consignment stores, even antique stores, catalogues, and online.
Use your loyalty cards to get points
Buy nothing you don't really appreciate or love. Use wisdom to guide your clothing decisions. Recognize what reflects your values and personality, fits your body, complements your colouring, and takes you the places you'd like to go.
When buying something – ask yourself “Where am I going in this?”
Choose quality over quantity for a workable cluster of clothes. By choosing a smaller cluster of the best clothes you can afford, you'll not only enjoy them more, you'll save time and money too.
Add interest to ”boring” basics by using accessories.

On the day

Start by having a good breakfast so you do not have a sugar slump
Do your hair and make up - you are going to be looking at yourself in the mirror and you need to like what you see
Wear well-fitting underwear and clothing that is easy to take off
Take a bottle of water
Don’t buy the first thing you see, take pictures of it on your smart phone
Check cleaning instructions – a “bargain’ can easily be expensive if it is dry clean only
What will it go with in my existing wardrobe
If not sure but you would like to check at home, ask about the returns policy. If it is only a store credit then it might be better to leave it at the shop
Have alterations done immediately
Work out cost per wear for each garment you consider buying

I know what some are thinking, "I don't have time to shop mindfully." Better to realize, you don't have time not to. End-of-season and after-Christmas sales will be upon us soon. Retailers must sell out all the Spring and Summer stock. Sale prices will be slashed from 30% to 85% below full prices, depending on the store. Regardless of the price, however, none of us can afford to shop mindlessly or we lose precious time, money, and mistakes in personal style and self-presentation.

Before you hit the shops and buy up on SALE, do a wardrobe audit and see if you need to replace shoes for next Spring/Summer. Do you need to replace your basics? Underwear, singlets, light weight cardigans or jackets which you will wear in Autumn?

Remember the rule of 3 – what you buy must go with 3 other items in your wardrobe otherwise it is not a bargain!!

So, what's "out there" on SALE waiting to tempt you or seriously fill your needs and what I think you could consider a bargain?

Find a Bargain

Evening wear that you may not wear often but will be great to have ready for the next occasion
Evening bags and shoes that you may not have but they are a wardrobe hole
Accessories – bags, belts, jewellery to liven up your existing wardrobe
Worn out Summer pyjamas
Simple and timeless dresses, tops and skirts that you know you will definitely wear next Summer – remember that in some parts of Australia it stays hot enough till May
Replace your tired old Summer sun hat and swimsuit cover up
Worn out underwear
Summer sandals
Try a new colour in a top or dress
Any other ideas you have identified as you wear your clothing????

If you are shopping for children – remember to size up for next year.

After making your list of what you want to look for, proceed with your shopping, mindfully, with full deliberation. Engage your senses fully, particularly your senses of sight and touch. Become aware of how the clothing feels as it touches your body. Improve your posture and see if the fit improves. Look in the mirror and turn your attention to your thoughts and feelings about how you look in the clothing. Take time to deliberate between your options. Stretch, move, and bend and sit in the clothes. Don’t buy with a “IT WILL DO” mindset or “It is ONLY $”. LOVE IT and know that it will definitely meet your needs – according to your list (not your wants) and then enjoy having money left over to do other exciting things.

If you need help with your wardrobe or shopping – call me – I am available after the 7th January.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Wonderful Christmas filled with amazing times. I have my brother and his family visiting from South Africa and I have not seen them in 3 years so I am very excited for this time.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Love

Debbie